One Lovely Blog Award // all the Sherlock things

 Liz @ Out of Mind, Out of Coffee tagged me with the The One Lovely Blog Award.

Why is there a "One" in the title? There seems to be many "One Lovely Blog"s. Yes. I am questioning blogging social norms. (Because that's what books have taught me.)

Back to topic, I'm supposed to tell you seven things about myself. You know the rules so they go without saying. Also, I've realized that the last few posts have a dramatic lack of Sherlock gifs.





I know. You're all rightfully irked by this aberration. So today I shall make it up to you.

1. I've decided that I want to know all things Sherlock Holmes. Perhaps it's a strange ambition? 

 

But I have decided and I will not waver! This year I hope to read all the original stories. Perhaps some retellings (Any recs?) And I'll have to put myself through some non-fic about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle which will hopefully not be too dull. Although, I did watch a documentary about how Doyle's stories inspired the creation of modern day forensics and it talked about Doyle too. Apparently, (but obviously) he was a bit of a Holmes himself. People write him letters about their problems and he often used deduction and/or forensics to solve them.

The books I have read are:

A Study in Scarlet

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

The Sign of Four

The Valley of Fear

The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes

My favorites so far are The Valley of Fear and the short story A Scandal in Bohemia. There's also one about a carbuncle that's rather amusing too. And of course, The Final Problem which features Professor Moriarty.

I just started The Hound of the Baskervilles.

I'm still looking for a Sherlock story with dragons though. Because everybody knows dragons make everything better. (We're good luck, you know.)

2. From these books, I've noticed that any time America or Americans are mentioned they're associated  with secret societies and Wild West murderers. During Doyle's time, America was still in its Wild West stage. So yeah, there was quite a lot of lawlessness going around (and a crying absence of dragons). But in Doyle's books, the American is almost always the bad guy.

 

Or was a villain in his past. Or is deceitful, or uncivil in some manner. 

I do wonder if Doyle believed that all Americans were cultists who loved murder and guns blazing? Or was that the American stereotype as seen in Britain during Doyle's time? (Yes, I call him Doyle; his full name makes me feel like gargling pebbles. Apologies, Sir Doyle.)

Of course, I've not read all of his works. Maybe there are some more diverse Americans in his other works. If not. . . I find his views very hilarious. Honestly.

I am reading the Hound of the Baskervilles at present and Henry Baskerville is an Englishman who has spent most of his life in America. So far, his only fault is having a hot temper. But then, he's not really American so. . . does he count?

3. To ease your mind, I am not a part of a cult. Nor have I murdered anyone.

Nor have I ever been cast in one of Doyle's books.

4. I find it ironic that Gatiss and Moffat basically gave the fandom murder for Christmas.

 

But of course they would.

5. I'm going to pretend like I'm mature enough to acknowledge that other things beside Sherlock exist. (Is it really true!?)

 Because cinnamon rolls.

Cinnamon rolls exists too.You know, the kind that come in a pressured tube. You pop it open, stick it in the oven, and they come out ginormous and soft. You can unroll them and enjoy their gooey goodness.

Those are the kind I like (unhealthy preservatives and all), and I'm don't need that much frosting. Some people want more frosting than cinnamon roll. But I'll take the cinnamon roll, thank you.

I've considered baking homemade ones. Then the whole lair would smell of cinnamon roll! But I'm too lazy. . .

So basically, if you gave me a warm cinnamon roll, you would be my new best friend for life. Perhaps that sounds impulsive? But it isn't like just anybody hands me cinnamon rolls. People don't give cinnamon rolls as random gifts (why not?!); otherwise I'd have more friends.

6. I'm more of a movie crier than a book crier. (Dragons have hearts and tear ducts too, alright?)

Books that've made me cry:

all The Hunger Games
(this trilogy is like eating three pain burritos; don't tell me that's not a thing)

The Book Thief

(*sobs*)

The Giver
(THEY DON'T HAVE MUSIC?! WHAT AWFUL REALM IS THIS?!)

almost Allegiant

(I was in shock, okay?)

Movies that've made me cry:

all The Hunger Games

(watching THG is like being slayed by a malicious knight)

Wreck-It-Ralph 

Lilo and Stitch 2/ Stitch has a Glitch

(*sniffles* my Stitch!)

The Iron Giant

(every time; that movie is so underrated)

Jurassic World

(the iconic T-Rex almost died, okay?! He's a near cousin and part of my childhood.)

almost Tangled 

The Amazing Spider-Man 2

(*weeps*)

Rigoletto 

Big Hero 6 

(cartoons these days are traumatic)

How to Train Your Dragon 2

(I'm too young for this stuff)

When I was a dragonling, cartoons didn't have plot (pfft, what even) and nobody ever DIED. They engaged in epic chases, threw anvils at each other, and blew things up for kicks (it's a wonder nobody died).

7. I talk to the other drivers on the road. Er, I mean, dragons in the sky.

No. I don't have road rage. And you're probably thinking,



 


 I simply recognize bad flying driving when I see it, as I am sure you do. I don't get angry about it. Bad driving is not worth puffing smoke fumes over. I just verbally react to idiots with mild-mannered sarcasm. 

I shall nominate:

Skye @ Ink Castles
Carly @ Books and Etc.
Victoria @ The Endless Oceans of My Mind
Emily @ Ink, Inc.

Are you a movie or book crier? OH! And Sherlock. Have you read any of the books? Any retelling recs? Or what is your favorite Sherlock film/episode?

Popcorn Reviews: guitars, pajamas, and clockworks

Mini reviews! They're like 'fun-sized' candy. It's more fun when there are more than one.

I have no idea who this guy is, but he has popcorn.

Guitar Notes

 Tripp uses the guitar in the music practice room on odd days while Lila practices her cello in the same room on even days. When Tripp leaves his trash on the first day, Lyla writes him a note addressing the school's rules about throwing trash. And so commences a long exchange of notes and snarky comments from Mr. Odd and Ms. Even.

 I spied this at a Half Price Books and thought I'd give it a go. "It could either be cute or meh." It's a quick easy read, barely over 200 pages. It's kinda cute in an MG manner, despite being a little cheesy.

I always pick up books about musicians and guitarists hoping I'll find a good one. They always end up on the DNF list. I guess I'm just not looking at the right ones? But I was determined to finish Guitar Notes and I'm glad I did. Like I said, it was a cute read.

I relate to Lyla's problem of letting people walk on her. She had difficulty telling people what she wanted and speaking her mind. I had difficulty with that for a while and occasionally still do. (Irl life people don't like it when I start speaking my mind XD) I also love Tripp. His personality was sarcastic, funny, and nervous. Although he does get angsty. . . Seriously though, his mom took his guitar away. Who wouldn't get angsty? She wanted him to make more friends, but why doesn't she try to find some other guitarists his age to befriend?

Overall, though if you can overlook stiff narration and a touch of cheesy (but funny) dialogue and you want something quick, this is a good choice. I really liked the concept best, note exchanging between two musicians from different musical spheres.

The Boy in Striped Pajamas

Bruno has to move because his father has gotten a big important job. He doesn't want to leave his friends and his grandparents and their perfect house behind. Besides their new house is so small and there are no people nearby. Well, except for the people on the other side of the fence. Who are they? He might just go adventuring to answer his questions.

Wow. This book. I looked it up at the library a long, long time ago, and they didn't have it. But recently I was wandering the shelves, as I'm apt to do, and stumbled upon it. Of course I snatched it up. It's about a boy in Germany and his father is in charge of a prison camp for Jews. Bruno eventually befriends one of the boys from the camp.

"If you ask me, we're all in the same boat. And it's leaking." -- Bruno

But this book is told completely from the story of a nine year old boy. He has no idea what is truly going on around him. He can't even pronounce half the places and names properly. He is innocence in the cruel world of society and boxes.

Again, this is another quick read. You could probably read it in one sitting, which I would suggest if possible. I highly recommend this one. Just wow. Go read it! Goodreads

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Hugo runs the train station clocks alone. Ever since his father died, his uncle took him in. But now his uncle's disappeared too, and unless Hugo wants to be taken away to an orphanage, he must keep the clocks running as if his uncle was still here. He finds the machine he and his father had committed to fixing and perhaps if he studies his father's notebook he can fix on his own. When the toymaker Hugo's been stealing parts from takes his father's notebook, Hugo is sure he'll never be able to fix the machine. But what is wrong with the toymaker? And the girl who stops by the toy shop with her books?

This book was a delightful surprise. I loved the movie. When I found out it was based on a book, I've always wanted to read it. Again, this was another serendipity find. It is so thick though! I had borrowed it from the library with a huge stack of other books and procrastinated reading Hugo. Eventually, I made myself look through it to see if it was worth renewing. I didn't even realize it was illustrated. It was thick for a reason. The book weaves a story with a blend of both words and illustrations. And I loved the illustrations. It was like a silent film. The format of the text is a little odd. Sometimes there'll be a short paragraph on one page, or a single sentence with a lot of white space. Other times a few pages will be filled at a time without an illustration to break it apart.

The story is that of a filmmaker and magician. It's about a boy who fixes things with nimble fingers. It's about a girl who runs fast and loves books. It's about secrets and mysteries. It's about words and images. It's about a train station in Paris, France and the ghost who kept the clocks running.

I would definitely recommend this book. It's not a heavy read like The Boy in the Pajamas, but it is very sweet and the ingenuity of it is fun and intriguing. Goodreads

Have you read any of these? What have you been reading lately? And do you have any good recs with musicians?

Starting Sparks July: the awkward conversationlists

So I hope you all are having a good summer?

But today I am not here to discuss pleasantries. I am here because I am BURDENED WITH GLORIOUS PURPOSE!

Ahem, and that purpose is to give you the new prompt for July's Starting Sparks.

*crickets*

Okay, so perhaps it wasn't as glorious a purpose as might be expected. But I am working my way up, okay? Start small. Start sparks. As I, er, they say.

Anyhow, you know the drill and if you don't, well, this is a link up. Co-hosted by Emily @ Ink Inc. and me @ I'd think you know where. The details are here.

Here's the button.

The PROMPT!

 

*rubs hands together maliciously* There's so much I could do with a prompt like that. 

Write like a fiend!